Balanced Major, Minor, and Trace Element and Buffer System for Nano-Reef Aquaria

Part of a complete system for simplifying and maintaining proper water chemistry in very small (e.g. “nano”) reef aquaria.

NanoCode B provides molecules that increase pH stability and form an integral part of aragonite, the mineral that is secreted by reef-building organisms.

Used in conjunction with NanoCode A, promotes stable water chemistry and improves rate of biogenic aragonite formation.

Contains no phosphate, silicate, or organic material.

*Due to the nature of iodide and the manner in which it interacts with organic material, it is unsuitable for indiscriminate dosing. As such, iodide is not present in NanoCode A or B. Regular partial water changes with a quality salt mix, or direct supplementation with an iodide solution, will achieve adequate, controlled dosage of iodide in small reef aquaria.

Technical Background

Small reef aquaria offer numerous benefits and challenges to their husbandry. Their compact size affords the ability to create a densely-stocked coral and/or sessile invertebrate assemblage for a modest investment of time and resources, equates to a savings in utility bills relative to the requirements of larger systems, and makes placement of a flourishing captive reef biotope into rooms with limited space a simple matter. The primary challenges associated with caring for small reef aquaria are maintaining proper nutrient concentrations and resisting the temptation to overstock, overcrowd, and overfeed the system. Nano-reef aquarists will agree that a primary goal is to encourage the growth of the corals and other reef-building invertebrates being housed, and the relative rates of growth are largely dependant upon the availability of elements such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and strontium, as well as upon the alkalinity being maintained within the proper range.

Used in conjunction, NanoCode A & B provide the afore-mentioned elements, as well as the molecules forming the basis of alkalinity, in ratios that encourage the production of aragonite. NanoCode A also provides non-conservative minor and trace elements in natural seawater concentrations to help simplify the maintenance of inorganic water chemistry in nano-reef aquaria. Neither NanoCode contains organic components such as vitamins, amino acids, etc., as these should be dosed separately (indiscriminately dosing these substances with a supplement meant to address high-biodemand elements such as calcium, or alkalinity, could lead to overloading the system with latent organic material, causing water quality to suffer; also, the rates of bio-uptake of the organic and inorganic components would need to be equal in order to avoid an overdose).